[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 362 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 362

   Designating the week beginning on October 13, 2019, as ``National 
                        Wildlife Refuge Week''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 17, 2019

    Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                            October 24, 2019

             Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Designating the week beginning on October 13, 2019, as ``National 
                        Wildlife Refuge Week''.

Whereas, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first national 
        wildlife refuge on Pelican Island in Florida;
Whereas, in 2019, the National Wildlife Refuge System, administered by the 
        United States Fish and Wildlife Service, is the premier system of land 
        and water to conserve wildlife in the world and has grown to 567 
        national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts located in 
        every State and territory of the United States;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are important recreational and tourism 
        destinations in communities across the United States and offer a variety 
        of recreational opportunities, including 6 wildlife-dependent uses that 
        the National Wildlife Refuge System manages, specifically hunting, 
        fishing, wildlife observation, photography, environmental education, and 
        interpretation;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System receives more than 50,000,000 
        visitors annually, which generates more than $3,200,000,000 in sales and 
        more than 41,000 jobs in local economies;
Whereas 382 units of the National Wildlife Refuge System have hunting programs 
        that receive more than 2,000,000 hunting visits annually, and 316 units 
        of the National Wildlife Refuge System have fishing programs that 
        receive more than 7,000,000 fishing visits annually;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System has hosted more than 30,000,000 
        wildlife observation visits in recent years;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are important to local businesses and gateway 
        communities;
Whereas the National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses every kind of ecosystem 
        in the United States, including temperate, tropical, and boreal forests, 
        wetlands, deserts, grasslands, arctic tundras, and remote islands, and 
        spans 12 time zones from the United States Virgin Islands to Guam;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are home to more than--

    (1) 700 species of birds;

    (2) 220 species of mammals;

    (3) 250 species of reptiles and amphibians; and

    (4) 1,000 species of fish;

Whereas national wildlife refuges are the primary Federal land on which the 
        production, migration, and wintering habitats for waterfowl are 
        fostered;
Whereas, since 1934, the Migratory Bird Conservation Fund, which has been 
        largely funded from the sale of the Federal Duck Stamp to outdoor 
        enthusiasts, has generated more than $1,500,000,000 and enabled the 
        conservation of more than 5,900,000 acres of habitat for waterfowl and 
        numerous other species in the National Wildlife Refuge System;
Whereas national wildlife refuges provide protection to more than 380 threatened 
        and endangered species;
Whereas national wildlife refuges are cores of conservation for larger 
        landscapes and resources for other agencies of the Federal Government, 
        State governments, private landowners, and organizations in efforts to 
        secure the wildlife heritage of the United States;
Whereas more than 38,000 volunteers and almost 200 national wildlife refuge 
        ``Friends'' organizations contribute approximately 1,350,000 volunteer 
        hours annually, the equivalent of 650 full-time employees, and provide 
        an important link to local communities;
Whereas national wildlife refuges provide an important opportunity for children 
        to discover and gain a greater appreciation for the natural world;
Whereas there are national wildlife refuges located in several urban and 
        suburban areas and there is a national wildlife refuge located within a 
        1-hour drive of nearly every metropolitan area in the United States, 
        which has enabled national wildlife refuges to employ, educate, and 
        engage young people from all backgrounds in exploring, connecting with, 
        and preserving the natural heritage of the United States;
Whereas, since 1995, national wildlife refuges across the United States have 
        held festivals, educational programs, guided tours, and other events to 
        celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week during the second full week of 
        October;
Whereas the United States Fish and Wildlife Service has designated the week 
        beginning on October 13, 2019, as ``National Wildlife Refuge Week''; and
Whereas the designation of National Wildlife Refuge Week by the Senate would 
        recognize more than a century of conservation in the United States, 
        raise awareness about the importance of wildlife and the National 
        Wildlife Refuge System, and celebrate the myriad recreational 
        opportunities available for the enjoyment of the protected land and 
        water within that system: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates the week beginning on October 13, 2019, as 
        ``National Wildlife Refuge Week'';
            (2) encourages the observance of National Wildlife Refuge 
        Week with appropriate events and activities;
            (3) acknowledges the importance of national wildlife 
        refuges for their recreational opportunities and contribution 
        to local economies across the United States;
            (4) finds that national wildlife refuges play a vital role 
        in securing the hunting and fishing heritage of the United 
        States for future generations;
            (5) identifies the significance of national wildlife 
        refuges in advancing the traditions of wildlife observation, 
        photography, environmental education, and interpretation;
            (6) recognizes the importance of national wildlife refuges 
        to wildlife conservation, the protection of imperiled species 
        and ecosystems, and compatible uses;
            (7) acknowledges the role of national wildlife refuges in 
        conserving waterfowl and waterfowl habitat under the Migratory 
        Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.);
            (8) reaffirms the support of the Senate for wildlife 
        conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System; and
            (9) expresses the intent of the Senate--
                    (A) to continue working to conserve wildlife; and
                    (B) to manage the National Wildlife Refuge System 
                for current and future generations.
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